It’s an often used phrase, but I think this year we have really seen some concerted efforts to make products simple and – gasp – even enjoyable to use.
As the level of the average user’s comfort with computer technology in their everyday life grows, so does their familiarity with certain types of software, and the internet in general. And the biggest online success stories have been services such as Google – which is simple, straightforward, and very easy to use.
Dedicated Micros has recognized this with its new user interface, including a ‘virtual’ remote control that has colour coded buttons, much as you might see on a Sky remote. These colours are replicated across the platform, making function recognition simple for operators.
And EVT, which works with Controlware in the UK, is offering a very intuitive map and camera control system – Vertex – that even a dunderhead like myself can understand and feel confident in using. The company’s Oren Feldmann told me that when the product was introduced at a major application in China, the security operators – around 20 years of age – described the system as ‘fun’ and were pretty eager to use it.
Fun? There’s a word you don’t hear used too often in the security business. But maybe the end user’s enjoyment should be more of a consideration?
